There are actually two types of links alternating in the bush roller chain. The 1st type is inner links, having two Stainless Steel Chain Internal plates held together by two sleeves or bushings where rotate two rollers. Internal links alternate with the second type, the external links, consisting of two outer plates held with each other by pins passing through the bushings of the internal links. The “bushingless” roller chain is similar in operation though not in building; instead of separate bushings or sleeves keeping the inner plates together, the plate has a tube stamped into it protruding from the hole which serves the same purpose. It has the benefit of removing one step in assembly of the chain.

The roller chain design reduces friction compared to simpler designs, leading to higher efficiency and less wear. The initial power transmission chain varieties lacked rollers and bushings, with both the inner and external plates kept by pins which straight contacted the sprocket teeth; however this configuration exhibited extremely rapid wear of both the sprocket teeth, and the plates where they pivoted on the pins. This problem was partially solved by the development of bushed chains, with the pins keeping the outer plates passing through bushings or sleeves connecting the inner plates. This distributed the wear over a greater area; however the teeth of the sprockets still wore quicker than is desirable, from the sliding friction against the bushings. The addition of rollers around the bushing sleeves of the chain and supplied rolling contact with the teeth of the sprockets resulting in excellent resistance to put on of both sprockets and chain as well. There is even very low friction, so long as the chain can be sufficiently lubricated. Continuous, clean, lubrication of roller chains is usually of primary importance for efficient operation along with correct tensioning.